HL Deb 27 March 1984 vol 450 cc131-2

2.43 p.m.

The Earl of Kinnoull

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper. In doing so, may I point out to the House a small spelling mistake. "Stolpont" should read "Stolport". This error is, I am sure, due to my indecipherable writing.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government how soon a decision is expected on the stolport project in the London Docklands.

Lord Skelmersdale

My Lords, my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for the Environment has not yet received the inspector's report following a public local inquiry into the application for this project. When it is received the matter will be dealt with as speedily as possible.

The Earl of Kinnoull

My Lords, I thank my noble friend for that short progress report. Could he indicate how long the inspector is likely to take on a report of this nature? Secondly, would he agree that the stolport project is a bold and imaginative concept in the heart of the vital regeneration of London Docklands, and that it is being very ably led by the London Docklands Development Corporation?

Lord Skelmersdale

My Lords, the normal time scale for receiving such a report is of the order of seven to eight months. I can confirm that the stolport is in the Royal Group of Docks in the London Borough of Newham and that it is within the area of the London Docklands Development Corporation. This corporation has been doing a magnificent job with other projects, and this is an appropriate moment to pay tribute to its chairman, Mr. Nigel Broackes.

Lord Underhill

My Lords, does the Minister agree that there is a widespread desire to see the regeneration of London Docklands? However, in view of the aircraft noise regulations which this House carried a few days ago—I understand that only one type of aircraft could use this airport, if it is established—is the Minister satisfied that such aircraft would come within the aircraft noise regulations?

Lord Skelmersdale

My Lords, that is exactly one of the points that such an inquiry is there to discover.